Many parents will agree with the above quote. With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day having passed, we wanted to share some of lessons our employees gleaned from their parents.

“My parents used to tell us your life is a canvas, no matter who you meet, they will place a positive or negative stroke on your canvass and in turn your life will become a beautiful masterpiece because life is made up of the good and the bad.” – Don Smeraldi, Manager Corporate Communications Pacific Area

“My mom always told me that nothing in life is guaranteed. She helped me to see that life is not always fair, that the swift do not always win the race, but that you have to keep trying anyway.” – Meiko Patton, Writer/Editor Pacific Area

“My mom always told me to never leave home without lipstick, because as Forrest said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates and you never know who you’re going to meet.’” – Eva Jackson, CPS San Diego District

It’s really a life lesson that my parents taught me and something I believe we all can benefit from: There is no richer experience in life than growing up poor and not ever realizing it.